Works of Art, Creating Our Handmade Silver and Copper DESIDERATUM Art Jewelry, Architectural Creations and Other Projects ....
and Musings of Living a Frugal Artistic Country Life in Central New Brunswick, Canada

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

How to Make An Entrance

... I love the Process involved in the act of Creating, of just about anything... it almost thrills me more than the finished work itself... these photos show some of the steps involved in bringing the front of a structureto life...
... click photos to see larger view, if you like...

... the casing and the very old doors (1870, I believe) were hung... the black space surrounding them is covered by heavy tarpaper...
... an overhang has already been mounted across the top covered with white aluminum flashing...

John is beginning the side Pilasters.. building them out so they have depth...

Layers of wood are measured and cut... nail heads being sunk here...

...sturdy attractive bases for the pilasters... the door is still being held closed by a stick.. can't do everything at once... soon...

Then he works his way up to do multiple layers at the top of each side...

... building them out using extra pieces underneath... making each section progressively larger... and not letting any of our scrap wood go to waste...

...attaching the flashing to the top corner

I like it so far...

A little sketch of what we might do to the top of each window on the doors...

.. nailing on the wide dentils under the header... the remaining header space is filled with flat cedar... each board cut on the bevel so any water from storms will drain away ... and not lay and rot the wood.

...three narrow but deep wooden strips were placed in the main header butting up to a raised box that holds the light fixture... the box helps project the light out further over the doorway...

We beveled the sides of recycled boards to create the look of raised panels under the side and front windows..

to compliment the panels John put on the front doors...

... we added small triangles to finish off the front pilasters...

...top and bottom...

... when certain design elements are repeated, it helps tie it all together...

...and hopefully adds a bit of whimsy and fun...

...starting to paint the top row of triangles that runs along the top of the wall... so it looks like little flags... I am using Olympic Solid Color White Stain... stain doesn't peel... low maintenance!

... the details of the built-up surround makes lovely shadows when the light is at certain angles and levels during different parts of the day......

... finished painting the flags...
...and just started the window trim... I want them to look as one unit ... and be reminiscent of the older architecture of the village...

...detail...

...the windows are done and they have really come to life

I never painted the eave shingles .. as well, I am not painting the sides of the weathered patinated shingles.. I like them that way ... the front shingles are being left to weather to a silver gray... won't take long in this salt air...

oh....... I was very reluctant to start this part... the first few swipes with the paintbrush just made me cringe... but it is hard to paint with your eyes shut...
... no turning back now...

.. ok.. I did it... it's ok... It's Fresh.. I like it... I think it presents the doors quite well... and makes you feel a little special walking through them... like you went somewhere, even if it was only in and out... sort of like a child climbing into a cupboard...

...attached the cast iron bell with ribbons that were hiding in the back of a drawer... from Laura Secord Chocolate boxes that John had given me a few years ago...

...... we put the light back in its place and made sure it worked...

... all done...

These are the same steps taken by us, a few years back, when we created the front door entrance for our home, just up the road Door #4

39 comments:

A beautiful and very inviting space! Lovely detail. I like the flag-like trim and that you stained them, whimsical and fun! Good luck with the interior... I wonder how that is coming? Oh, and as I was looking at the "before" photos, I see you have a little Jotul wood stove - and if I remember correctly, that's how you heat your house... I heat my house with a Jotul Oslow 500 and LOVE it. Very efficient.

I am breathless just reading about your process. I am completely with you about not wanting to put that first brushstroke on the warm glowing wood. The detail in the triangular shingle, like step pyramids, is amazing. John really is a craftsman extraordinary!If only, if only I could still fly.... oh well at least my thoughts still can.

Mr. Grim keeps lurking near by . . . I can't even prune a rosebush and walking a short distance at snail's pace is an achievement. Ah well, we have enough painters and artists in the family here to take over the studio that was meant for me and that in all probability will be finished too late.

Don't worry, I have been ready for the journey for years and will take to it like a duck to water once it comes.

Wow ! My hat is off to both of you... it's beautiful ! Love all the details that you so carefully planned and executed... with an abundance of creativity and honed skills... a pleasure to read through this entire account... hope there will be a good housewarming, or gallery-warming party to christen it !

I agree with you the act of creating is more satisfying but there comes a time when it is done. You have given me such a good idea for a door I have been working on and off (more off than on) for over a year now. Maybe I'll get back to work on it.Entering that door would be special. I had not thought about it before but there are doors that give that feeling. I need to pay more attention.

A door you just have to step through - I am in awe, really, takes my breath away. To see the stages of this creation and the craft skills involved is a treat. I loath painting wood also, has to be sometimes - alongside the beauty of glass in my opinion, grain and texture can be enhanced by it though which I think you've achieved.

An incredible transformation, and one that really shows how much work, care and thought that has gone into this labour of love. I would love to have you build a house for me! (Dream on, says my bank balance....)

Oh my Gwen! How blessed you guys are! It's beautiful. So wonderful you were able to draw up the plans yourselves and work from them. John is a great worker isn't he?! Stunning! I'd live inside that! :-)

Rachel that would be so much fun to create a house for a fellow blogger..

Hi Sheri, most of the time we are working by the seat of our pants.. no, really it was fun to see what we could make of the old structure...we weren't worrying about making mistakes so that was a relief......

Thank you Gail, Pamela, and Valerie... there is another old structure down the street but I don't think I can talk John into attempting it.. he misses painting.

How incredibly artistic...not surprising though. You have done such an incredible job with this, right down to each exquisite detail. I bet it's the talk of the town...I can't wait...can't wait...to see it in person.

The attention to DETAIL you all give to a project is unbelievable and the end result....phenomenal. I am so impatient when I work! Thank God there are creative souls like you and your husband that will do these things so others can enjoy....thank you.

That is quite the magnificent entrance! So much attention to fine detailing has really paid off. The white accents add drama and panache, and I think they will be really beautiful when the whole place takes on the weathered patina of the side walls. I love your comment about a small child going in and out of a cupboard (whole realms of magic there!). I'm really looking forward to walking through those doors myself in the not-too distant future.

Hi Gwen, yeah a post! I treasure them. I love the triangle detailing,it certainly does add whimsy. And your antique windows and doors are as always beautiful. Now i have something to dream about,and to think it is your studio! Lucky hard working ducks!

I am so many things--amazed, enthralled, impressed, envious, and inspired. But mostly I am happy for you and thrilled at your accomplishment. John is an amazing Renaissance Man. He can build the 'cathedral' and paint its' murals, too!

Our Little Old Homestead

*** 2018 - The SABBATICAL - oh my, the Excitement ***

After 25 years of creating our whimsical Desideratum Art Jewelry, we are taking a Sabbatical. Yes, indeed... we have waited a long time for this. The freedom to explore and experiment with abandon and to indulge ourselves in the many fields of creativity that have been simmering away on the back burner.

John will be centering himself in his Painting studio... Oil painting to be specific. I will have my hands in sheep fleece, textiles, drawing, gardening etc.... and we will occasionally make some jewelry pieces in limited and one-of designs,of course. The prospect of the coming year is Exhilarating to say the least. Things will be humming here.

Thank You so very much to Everyone, Individuals and Shop Owners, who have followed our work all these years... we dearly appreciate it... we hope to have lots more things to share in this next chapter of our lives.

The Muses

Sorry... Sold-Out

......My Inspirational Muse .......The DESIDERATA .......

Go Placidly Amid The Noise And Haste and Remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly; And listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; They too have their story...

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others, you will become vain and bitter; For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans...

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism...

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is perennial as the grass...

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself...

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should...

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul...

With all the sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.......